Light It Up (1999)

User Rating:

5.3/10   

Director:

Craig Bolotin

Writer (WGA):

Craig Bolotin (written by)

Release Date:

10 November 1999 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

they don't want to be heroes they just want to be heard.

Plot:

A group of teens is bent on improving the run-down conditions of their high-school.

Plot Keywords:

Police | Black Cop | Molotov Cocktail | Hostage Negotiator | Lasersight

Awards:

5 nominations

US TV Schedule:

Thur. July 16	8:00 PM	BET
Fri. July 17	12:00 AM	BET

Cast

Usher Raymond	...	Lester Dewitt
Forest Whitaker	...	Officer Dante Jackson
Rosario Dawson	...	Stephanie Williams
Robert Ri'chard	...	Zacharias 'Ziggy' Malone
Judd Nelson	...	Ken Knowles
Fredro Starr	...	Rodney J. Templeton
Sara Gilbert	...	Lynn Sabatini
Clifton Collins Jr.	...	Robert 'Rivers' Tremont
Glynn Turman	...	Principal Allan Armstrong
Vic Polizos	...	Capt. Monroe
Vanessa Williams	...	Audrey McDonald (as Vanessa L. Williams)
Gaddiel Otero	...	Arturo Orosco
Frank Dominelli	...	Sgt. Tortino
Reggie Theus	...	Intel. Officer #1
Jennifer Say Gan	...	Intel. Officer #2

MPAA:

Rated R for language and violent content.

Runtime:

99 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Iceland:16 | Finland:K-14 | USA:R (certificate #36835) | Germany:16 (bw) | Spain:13 | Sweden:15 | UK:15 | Argentina:13

Filming Locations:

Calumet Career Prep Academy High School - 8131 S. May Street, Auburn Gresham, Chicago, Illinois, USA

Company:

Edmonds Entertainment Group (EEG)

Trivia:

This is the second time in a movie that Forest Whitaker asks another man to help him urinate. This also occurred in The Crying Game (1992).

Goofs:

Continuity: At the beginning of the movie, Stephanie is tapping a purple pen on her notebook when the ceiling leaks and a close-up of her hand is shown to let us see the water. In the close-up she has a pink pen, then it cuts back to her holding the purple pen. This was fixed on the DVD but it remains on the VHS version of the movie.

Quotes:

Officer Dante Jackson: Come here, son.
Lester Dewitt: Don't call me son. I'm not your son.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in 'Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty' - Making of the Hollywood Game (2002) (V)

Soundtrack:

Cry Baby

brilliantly acted

"Light It Up" is smart, heart pounding and filled with suspense that will keep everyone on the edge of their seat. This is a truly smart thriller drama that takes a look at one of the biggest problems facing America.

Everything about "Light It Up" worked from the performances from relative newcomers such as Usher Raymond and Robert Ri'chard to veterans like Forest Whitaker and Vanessa L. Williams. One thing I must say about the cast of "Light It Up" they took the script and performed with the heart and intent of making this film a success.

The best thing about this movie was not the action but the message that it was trying to send the message that everyone deserves to be treated equally and with the same amount of respect.

Also, the characters were richly developed with honesty and integrity that seems to be missing from films I have been watching recently. I'm glad I got the opportunity to watch "Light It Up" because it taught me not to make judgements based upon first impressions.

Whether you like "Light It Up" or not it will touch you and move you to action. This truly is a movie that has spirit and deserves to be watched.